Update: Two men killed in aircraft crash thought to be planning aerobatics

The two men killed in a light aircraft crash near Castle Howard were planning to do some aerobatics, it is believed.

The pilot and passenger of a yellow light aircraft died when it came down on fields between the A64 and Castle Howard, on Saturday, at about 10.40am.

The plane was a Slingsby T67 Firefly, which is thought to have took off from Full Sutton Flying Centre near York.

A spokesman for the centre declined to comment.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: “The investigation is continuing. Investigators are on the scene again today (1 May).”

The AAIB and North Yorkshire Police say there are no updates at this stage, and the names of the two victims have not yet been released.

Following the crash, North Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Mark Grange said: “Two males who were in the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene.”

Up to 20 firefighters attended the scene and set up a foam blanket around the aircraft in case it caught fire, a North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

Nicholas Howard, executive co-chairman of the Castle Howard Estate, said: “The sudden shock is always terrible for those close to fatal accidents, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those who died in this crash.”

A spokesperson for the nearby Crown and Cushion pub in Welburn added: “All we heard was sirens about half 10. A lot of people heard the fire engine go and stop but we didn’t see the plane.”